Automobiles Restoration

Honda CR-X

2006-08-19T08:03:00.000-07:00

The Honda CR-X, originally launched as the Honda Ballade Sports CR-X in Japan, was a compact sports car manufactured by Honda. The first generation CR-X was sold in some regions outside Japan as the Honda Civic CR-X. The name "CR-X" is an acronym for "Civic Renaissance model X."

The Honda Civic CR-X was first produced in 1983 for the 1984 model year and was a lightweight sport hatchback. In the American market, the CR-X was marketed as an economy sport hatchback, having room for just two passengers. European markets, however, received a more powerful ZC 130 hp engine and four seats.

Redesigned in 1987 and produced to 1992, the CR-X was very popular for its performance (specifically the US performance model, the Si), nimble handling, and good fuel economy. The original 1.3 liter car and the later American-market CR-X HF model could reliably achieve better than 50 mpg, more than a decade before gas-electric hybrids appeared on the market, and at no price premium over the base model; the 1.3 liter was rated at over 50 mpg for highway.[1]

One of the rarest options for the CR-X was the "Cyber Glass" roof, which stretched from the top of the windshield, and went all the way back to the hatch opening; such equipped models are extremely rare.

The Japanese Si and European 16v models came with a 1.6 L dual overhead camshaft engine putting out 128 bhp. The Si engine was stamped ZC, whilst the 16v stamped D16A9. Honda refreshed the looks of the car in these markets in 1990 when it added the B16A VTEC engine to the lineup. This engine used Variable Valve Timing and Lift to provide increased power in the high rev range, while still allowing low fuel consumption and better idleing at low RPMs. the B16A produced 150 bhp in the European VT model and 160 bhp in the JDM SiR model. The CR-X was the second car to receive a VTEC engine after the Integra.

In 1992, Honda came up with a new model called the Honda CR-X Del Sol. Many people say that the Del-Sol replaced the CR-X, but because it was called the CR-X Del Sol, this proves that the Del-Sol was just another version of the Honda Civic CR-X. The Honda CR-X series officially ended in 1997, with the discontinuation of the CR-X Del Sol.

There have been many rumours of a CR-X comeback, none of which have come to fruition. However, in August 2005, Autoweek reported that Honda planned a revival of the CR-X that is scheduled to be on the market in 2007; no official announcement has been made by Honda.

From sporty car to sports car

2006-08-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Some minor changes to the Mustang occurred at the start of 1965 model year production, a mere five months after its introduction. First was an almost complete change to the engine lineup. The 170 in³ (2.8 L) I6 engine made way for a new 200 in³ (3.3 L) version which had 120 hp (89 kW) at 4400 rpm and 190 ft·lbf (258 N•m) at 2400 rpm. Production of the 260 in³ (4.2 L) engine ended with the close of the 1964 model year. With a new, two-barrel carbureted 200 hp (149 kW) 289 in³ (4.7 L) engine taking its place as the base V8, people started to get excited. A 225 hp (168 kW) four-barrel 289 in³ (4.7 L) was next in line, followed by the unchanged "Hi-Po" 289. The DC generator was replaced by a new AC alternator on all Fords and the now-famous Mustang GT was introduced. Available was a four-barrel engine with any body style. Additionally, reverse lights were added to the car in 1965. Originally, the Mustang was available as either a hardtop or convertible. During the car's early design phases, however, a fastback model was strongly considered. The Mustang 2+2 fastback made its inaugural debut with its swept-back rear glass and distinctive ventilation louvers.

A machine built for the ages, Carroll Shelby converted (with Ford Motor Company's blessing), a special model designed with only two things in mind; winning races and beating the Chevrolet Corvette. Designated simply as the "GT-350", these purpose-built performance cars started as "Wimbledon White" fastbacks with black interiors. The fastbacks were shipped from the San Jose, California assembly plant and fitted with a Hi-Po 289, four-speed manual transmission, and included front disc brakes. Also shortened hoods and rear seats with identifying trim were among other visual variations. These few cars were converted to street, road racing, and drag cars in Shelby's plant at Los Angeles International Airport.

Modifications to both the street and racing versions included: side-exiting exhausts, Shelby 15 in (380 mm) magnesium wheels (though some early cars were fitted with the factory steel wheels), fiberglass hoods with functional scoops, relocated front control arms, (to reduce understeer and neutralize handling), quicker steering, Koni shock absorbers, a Detroit Locker rear end with Ford Galaxie drum brakes, metallic brake linings at all four corners, rear-mounted batteries, rear anti-sway bars with souped-up front anti-sway bar, dash-mounted gauges, a fiberglass parcel shelf and spare tire holder where the rear seat was intended to be. Among other engine modifications, considerable overhaul boosted output to 306 hp (228 kW). Hot Rod Magazine recorded a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds.

When Ford stiffened the car's basic body structure, they included a front angled brace intended for the export models and so-called "Monte Carlo" bar; triangulating the under-hood shock absorber towers. Though Shelby's influence on the car diminished as Ford's grew, the 1965 to 1970 GT-350 and its "big-block" brother, the 1967 to 1970 GT-500 are among the most sought-after, and valued automobiles in the world; so too are the high-performance models offered over the years by other automotive tuners following in Shelby's footsteps.

Carroll Shelby also had a special GT500 in mind, called the Super Snake. Instead of the 428, the Super Snake got an all aluminum version of the upgraded side-oiler FE motor in the 427 S/C Shelby Cobra, estimated at around 600 horsepower. Unfortunately, the staggering sticker price offset the public's interest in this concept, and only one was ever documented, with that one still in existence today.

Ford Mustang Coming to market

2006-07-26T07:32:00.000-07:00

Because the timing of the car's introduction coincided perfectly with the first wave of the postwar "baby boom", the Mustang entered the market with a strong force, which was heading off to work in a strong economy. Incredibly, no domestic manufacturer up until that time had anything that remotely resembled an affordable, yet youthful and sophisticated automobile aimed at this burgeoning market, and Iacocca knew it. Despite his repeated attempts to receive the go-ahead to produce such a car, his proposals fell on mostly deaf ears. Although the company was still smarting financially after the demise of the Edsel Division in late 1959, upper management at Ford under Robert McNamara (later United States Secretary of Defense under Lyndon Johnson) wasn't willing to take such a major risk.

Still, Iacocca persevered and was given the green light to produce the Mustang in mid-1962, which gave the design team only eighteen months to design and develop the car. Not only did the project wrap up in under eighteen months, it wrapped up under budget, thanks to the decision for the use of many existing mechanical parts as possible. As far as the design itself was concerned, Ford stylists basically threw out the company handbook on design limitations. This single handedly pushed the stamp of technology of the time to its limit in such design areas as the sweep of the rear lower valence and the remarkably complicated front end stampings and castings. Curved side glass was used as well, but at a stern price considering the technology to produce distortion-free curved safety glass was still in its early stages. Though most of the mechanical parts were directly taken from the Falcon, the Mustang's body shell was completely different from the Falcon's, sporting a longer wheelbase, wider track, lower seating position, and overall height. An industry first, The "torque box," was an innovative structural system that greatly stiffened the Mustang's unitized body construction and further helped contribute to its excellent handling; at least compared to other cars of the time.

When the Mustang hit the market, there was nothing like it. It was perfect for young hip adults and the talk of the new teen power scene.

Ford Mustang Part 3 ( Built to order )

2006-07-16T03:44:00.000-07:00

Much of the appeal (and the high profit) in such a low-priced car came from the options list. Ford has made much money on Mustang production. Ford utilized this to their advantage. The Mustang's long list of optional equipment has enabled buyers to fully customize their cars to their tastes and budgets. It also resulted in typical transaction prices hundreds of dollars above the base price, making the Mustang profitable not only for the dealer but also for the manufacturer.

The option list included several power train combinations; the buyer could choose a four-speed manual transmission ($115.90 or $188.00 with six-cylinder or eight-cylinder engines, respectively) or the three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission ($179.80 or $189.60). The standard six-cylinder engine could be replaced with a 164 hp (122 kW) 260 in³ (4.2 L) for $116.00 or a 210 hp (157 kW) 289 in³ (4.7 L) V8. Boasting the V8 and four-speed manual, the Mustang Road & Track recorded a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time of 8.9 seconds, with the standing quarter mile in 17 seconds at 85 mph. Starting in June 1964, the new 271 hp (202 kW) "K-code" High Performance engine became available, including a handling package with stiffer springs, shock absorbers, stiffer front anti-roll bar, fast-ratio steering, and wider tires also optional on other Mustangs. At $442.60 (not counting the mandatory four-speed transmission) it was the single most expensive Mustang option, and only 7,273 of the 680,992 Mustangs sold in 1965 were equipped. With a skilled driver, K-code/4-speed equipped Mustangs could do 0-60 in around 6 seconds, and put down mid 14-second ¼ mile times with ease.

Other options included: limited-slip differential, styled wheels and wheel covers, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, center console, a vinyl top, various radios, a bench seat, and various other accessories. Disc brakes for the front wheels became optional later in 1965. The list would continue to grow through much of the Mustang's history, in which added trim packages like the Interior Decor Group (or "pony interior") and GT package (which included disc brakes, handling package, and other items), became a must for enthusiasts. Additional engine choices and convenience items are well known for the Mustang.

http://en.wikipedia.org/

Ford Mustang Part 2 (Engineering)

2006-07-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

Engineering

Surprisingly, for all its style and well-marketed sporty design, the Mustang was based heavily on familiar, yet simple components. Much of the chassis, suspension, and drive train was derived from the Ford Falcon and Ford Fairlane. The car had a unitized platform-type frame from the 1964 Falcon, and welcoming box-section side rails, including five welded crossmembers. Although hardtop Mustangs were the majority in sales, durability problems with the new frame led to the unusual step of engineering the (necessarily less rigid) convertible first, which ensured adequate stiffness. Overall length of the Mustang and Falcon was identical, at 181.6 in (4613 mm), although the Mustang's wheelbase at 108 in (2743 mm) was slightly shorter. With an overall width of 68.2 in (1732 mm), it was 3.4 in (86 mm) narrower, although wheel track was nearly identical. Shipping weight, about 2570 lb (1170 kg) with six-cylinder engine, was also similar. A full-equipped, V8 model weighed about 3000 lb (1360 kg).
( http://en.wikipedia.org/ )

Ford Mustang (Accolades)

2006-07-03T04:18:00.000-07:00

The prototype first conceived by Ford product manager Donald N. Frey and championed by Ford Division general manager Lee Iacocca showed us a two-seat, mid-engine roadster. This later would be remodeled as a four-seat car penned by David Ash and Joseph Oros in Ford's Lincoln–Mercury Division design studios, which would be the winning design in an intramural design contest called by Iacocca. The base, yet well-equipped Mustang hardtop with its 105 hp (78 kW), 156 ft·lbf (212 N•m) 170 in³ (2.8 L) inline six-cylinder engine and three-speed manual transmission listed for US$2,368. Looking like it cost hundreds of dollars more with its "long hood/short deck" styling, the Mustang earned a number of prestigious auto industry awards and accolades its first year. Including those are Motor Trend Car of the Year, pace car duties for the 1964 Indianapolis 500, and the Tiffany Design Award for "excellence in design," the first automobile so honored. This shows the quality placed in the Mustang. Borrowing minor design cues from the Lincoln Continental and two-seat Ford Thunderbird with an intentional touch of Ferrari at the grille, the Mustang can be regarded as a true master of engineering. (www.en.wikipedia.org)

Wery beautyfull car :)

2006-06-30T04:53:00.001-07:00

Ford

Wery beautyfull car :)

2006-06-30T04:53:00.000-07:00

Hi

2006-06-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hello..